Watching Yasushi Takada charge at her like a war machine, a glint of determination flashed in Soi Fon's eyes.
Against a captain-level opponent, there was no way she could escape with Yoruichi.
In that case, she would stake her life on this battle!
"Forgive me, Lady Yoruichi… I won't be able to repay your kindness from now on."
After whispering these words, she tightened her grip on her short sword and rushed toward Yasushi Takada!
"Soi Fon!!"
Yoruichi's pupils constricted.
She took a deep breath, gathering spiritual pressure within her body.
Over the years, aside from Onmitsukidō training, she had spent most of her time practicing another secret technique.
It was a unique fusion of the Shihōin family's secret arts and her own inspiration—a special combination of hand-to-hand combat and Kidō.
Right now, her mastery of this technique was still immature. Using it in battle could result in severe side effects.
But at this moment, there was no room left to consider such things.
Life or death—it all came down to this!
Just as she was about to unleash her spiritual pressure, she suddenly froze in shock.
A figure had appeared behind Yasushi Takada.
So stunned was she that she forgot to act, standing rooted to the spot.
When Yasushi Takada charged at Soi Fon, most of his attention was actually on Yoruichi.
Seeing Yoruichi suddenly stare at him with a shocked expression, his heart skipped a beat.
Without hesitation, he ignored Soi Fon, who was rushing toward him, and turned around.
As he turned, he saw a figure clad in a black cloak standing right behind him—when had they gotten there?!
Under Yasushi Takada's stunned gaze, Satoru raised his Zanpakutō high and swung it down with all his might—
"Dragon Slayer Sword!!!"
A dazzling surge of sword pressure illuminated the night for an instant.
BOOM!!!
A massive explosion erupted, sending a cloud of dust and debris rolling outward from Yasushi Takada's position.
Yoruichi's face lit up with joy. "Satoru!"
Soi Fon, too, was initially overjoyed.
But upon hearing Yoruichi's affectionate address and the undisguised happiness in her voice, she couldn't help but shoot a puzzled glance.
Thud!
Satoru flipped midair and landed beside Soi Fon, scooping her up in one swift motion.
After giving her a quick once-over, he nodded in satisfaction.
"Good, you don't seem injured."
Under her surprised gaze, Satoru wrapped an arm around her waist and flash-stepped to Yoruichi's side.
"How are you holding up, Yoruichi?"
"Nothing serious," Yoruichi shook her head. "The real problem is that guy... Ninth Division Captain, Yasushi Takada!"
She explained rapidly: "His rock armor makes him practically invulnerable with insane defensive capabilities!"
"Rumor has it that Ninth Division Vice-Captain, Kensei Muguruma once challenged him."
"Facing Kensei who'd already achieved Shikai, Takada just stood there motionless, letting the vice-captain hack at him for minutes."
"In the end, Vice-Captain Muguruma couldn't breach his defense and had to concede defeat!"
Hearing this, Satoru raised an eyebrow.
Initially, the term "invulnerable" had given him pause.
But upon learning the tester was Kensei Muguruma, it suddenly seemed less impressive.
Noticing Satoru's dismissive expression, Soi Fon hurriedly added: "Don't attack the gaps in his armor—your blade will get swallowed!"
Satoru smiled at her: "Got it, I'll remember that."
Yoruichi kicked him irritably.
At this moment, the temporarily inactive Yasushi Takada came back online.
With a wave of his hand, the dust surrounding him instantly dispersed.
He looked down at his chest.
There, a faint sword mark remained visible.
"Satoru Mikami... I'd heard much about you, but facing you personally still inspires awe."
"A commoner from Rukongai, barely six months in Shin'ō Academy, yet possessing such power."
"If this is true, your talent might rank among the greatest in Soul Society's entire history."
As he spoke, the sword mark on his chest completely vanished.
"A genius like you, if allowed to mature, would probably surpass me in under a century."
"Pity... you've stepped onto this stage too soon."
"Perish, prodigy!"
The instant he finished speaking, Yasushi Takada stomped forward, charging violently at Satoru!
Satoru gripped his asauchi with both hands, drawing it upward diagonally.
A brilliant blue sword pressure erupted from the blade once more.
But this time, Yasushi Takada didn't let it stop him.
He reached out with both hands and physically caught the incoming sword pressure.
Then, with a roar, Yasushi Takada exerted his strength—
His rock-encased hands tore through Satoru's sword pressure like paper!
"Damn, talk about an Eva unit," Satoru couldn't help muttering.
Seeing his sword pressure ineffective, Satoru opted to meet Yasushi Takada head-on.
His asauchi traced a semicircular arc, aiming for the armored wrist—
CLANG!!!
To Satoru's absolute disbelief, his blade actually bounced off.
He'd struck what should be the armor's weakest point—not only did it deal no damage, but it rebounded?!
He tried withdrawing his sword to create distance.
But after barely half a step back, Yasushi Takada's arm shot forward—snapping shut around his blade.
"None of that."
The two-meter-plus rock titan unleashed terrifying strength, using Satoru's own sword to yank him forward.
Watching this, Yoruichi's chest tightened.
For a Shinigami, having your blade controlled is the worst possible scenario.
For a Shinigami, even at the risk of injury, one must never let go of their sword.
Once the sword is lost, what follows is nothing but being at the mercy of others.
But... against a monster like Yasushi Takada, if he were to be pulled in close, there might be no chance of turning the tables!
Yoruichi quickly took a breath, ready to warn Satoru not to wrestle Yasushi Takada for the sword.
Yet before she could speak, she saw Satoru release the Asauchi in his hand.
Yasushi Takada wasn't surprised by Satoru's action.
A Shinigami whose sword had been seized would either try to pull it back or let go to seek another opportunity.
He had countermeasures prepared for both scenarios.
Already anticipating this, he took a step forward, releasing his grip on the blade and instead spreading his arms wide, ready to close them in a crushing embrace.
If Satoru retreated, he would fall right into Yasushi Takada's grasp, dragged into his arms and strangled to death!
But—to Yasushi Takada's stunned gaze—Satoru didn't retreat. Instead, he surged forward even faster than when he had been pulled in, charging straight into Yasushi Takada's chest.
Facing Yasushi Takada's wide-open torso, Satoru took a deep breath.
His hands, brimming with surging spiritual pressure, clenched into fists.
And with a thunderous force—
Sōkotsu!!!
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